Opinion Express View on 10,000 steps a day: 6,033 too many

Perhaps there is a valiant heroism — akin to fighting dragons or scaling craggy mountains to rescue princesses or princes — in meeting the goal of 10,000-steps-a-day that keeps people chasing that terrifying number. Or perhaps it is that the number — big, round, impressive — has a nice ring to it. Whatever the reason, those who shrivelled under the disappointed gaze of their trainers for having failed to meet this immodest goal may rest assured knowing that the latest research has their aching backs: As per a study published earlier this month in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, all one needs to do in order to reduce the risk of dying from any cause is walk 3,967 steps a day.

Shaving the extra 6,033 steps from their daily goal may just be the boost that many people need to at least attempt to meet their fitness goals. And, to set the record straight, the worldwide popularity of the 10,000-steps-a-day dogma was the result not of scientific research, but a great marketing campaign. As it turns out, the completely arbitrary figure was arrived at by a Japanese company, which designed the world’s first wearable pedometer, called manpo-kei — that is “10,000 step meter” — in the 1960s.

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Not that walking 10,000 steps a day will have any adverse effects on one’s health. The Polish researchers behind the latest studies point out that each increase of 1,000 steps will cut the risk of dying of any cause by 15 per cent. And for those who are intimidated even by the 3,967 step count, here’s some further assurance: Just 2,337 steps a day can cut the risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases. Surely that is reason enough to finally dust off those walking shoes?